27 March 1985

On 27 March 1985, a yellow double decker bus transporting school children from the Vorentoe High School, left the road as it was crossing over the bridge of the Westdene Dam in Johannesburg. 30 Children swam to safety or were rescued from the rooftop of the bus. 42 Children died.

Bystanders and fellow school mates desperately tried to save the panicking children. Tragically some survivors died while saving others. The incident was declared a national disaster by the government of the day. To place this event in some context as to where we were in South Africa’s history, elsewhere in the country Beyers Naudé and Allan Boesak were arrested for leading a protest march.

Moira Kloppers sums up the tragic events in a podcast published on Solidarity Blog. Press “play” below to listen to the story:

To this day, no-one knows exactly what caused the bus to leave the road and plunge into the dam. There were no obvious mechanical problems with the bus and the tyres appeared to be in order. There was no indication that the bus had collided with another vehicle immediately before going off the causeway.

The schematic was scanned from the Rand Daily Mail and gives one a better understanding of the layout of the scene where the bus went in.

The driver of the bus, Mr. William Horne, 41, was described by those who have travelled on his routes before, as an excellent and conscientious driver. Immediately after the incident, he told media that he could remember very little of the accident. There are some conspiracy theories floating around but it is very hard to believe that William Horne, a family man with 5 children of his own (between the ages of 10 to 18), someone who knew the children as he was their regular driver, would not have taken the utmost care in transporting them.

A virtual drive over the Westdene Dam wall shows the road travelled shortly before the accident (slideshow):

Even before the bus hit the water, some of the older boys tried to kick out the back emergency window, but they failed. Marcelle Wilsnach, now 41 and one of the lucky survivors of the Westdene bus disaster, last year (2010) relived the accident in the hope her chilling testimony [during a court case relating to emergency exits in busses] could aid in resolving faulty emergency exits. Wilsnach said she could remember the screams and feeling of utter disbelief as the bus plunged into the dam.

“Pieter Koen, another boy, and I climbed over the back seat and attempted to kick out the emergency exit windows, but if ever a myth was rudely shattered, it happened in that moment. None of the emergency windows even budged an inch. We stopped in time to grasp a final gulp of air and then the water was over our heads and it was silent.”Source: iol.co.za

A woman who lives nearby, and was one of the first on the scene, remembers the terrible screams as the bus went down, and then the terrible silence.

The local fire department had no diving unit at the time and the first divers on the scene were civilians. Firefighters attempted underwater search and rescue using their fire fighting breathing apparatus (SCBA). Rescue attempts were carried out by some of the children who had been on the bus as well as passers-by. Emergency services started arriving within a few minutes.

After the accident the Fire Department established a diving unit. It is no longer operational.

Further reading

For a comprehensive insight into conditions in the bus shortly before the accident as well as the aftermath, visit the Gelofteland website for a well-written account (in Afrikaans) or read the PDF version.

I was in Standard 5 in Brixton Primary at the time, lived in Hursthill, just a couple of kms away from the dam. I will never forget this tragedy, I was only 12 at the time, I remember going to Vorentoe a few days afterwards for a memorial service, as one of our school representatives and the sight of hundreds of children lining the streets sobbing uncontrollably. I often think that there but for the Grace of God go I, grateful I had the chance to grow up xx God Bless them all, may we never forget them x

I was relating the story of the incident to my kids today and they were really touched. We then decided to google the story and yep, they were also saddened by this. I was only 10yrs old then and would cry my heart out everytime I see those learners pictures in the newspaper. What a loss!!!

Though I didn’t know any of the victims it is something that will always be on my mind – a day I will never forget – I was in Standard 5 (grade 7). Since then I have only once driven over the dam (many years ago). It was very eerie and I have never driven over it again.

I was in Grade 4 at Brixton Primary school at this time. I distinctly remember, that catching the bus was monitored by our teachers. Actually our headmaster was determined that he would ask our driver to check the bus in his presence. This lasted a few weeks until we received a newer bus to transport us. 42 children never grew up to be successful adults, and today we have a man who ridicules their deaths through Facebook. Surely there must be something that can be done? His comments are so hurtful it calls for more than just an enquiry by the human rights commission. To all those families that have lived for 28 years without closure or justice, now is your time to get justice!

The South African Human Rights Commission facilitated and welcomed the public apology and withdrawal of all hurtful racial statements posted on social media by the young unemployed journalist Zama Khumalo.

On 24 January 2013, Khumalo posted a comment on his Facebook page relating to a school bus accident, which took place in the Westedene area of Johannesburg during 1985 where a number of school children tragically lost their lives.

In response to statements made by two different individuals with access to the Khumalo’s Facebook page, he made the following additional statement:
“On 27 March 2013, I will send out an invite to invite you to come to the Westedene Dam for a BIG Black Braai, (100% Blacks), fireworks, DJ – Black-People, celebrating their death.. and “we will always celebrate the death of whiteness”.

The Commission received thirteen complaints against Khumalo from 6th to 14th February 2013, for these comments made.

The Commission today headed a mediation session between Khumalo and some of the complainants following his racist remarks.

The meeting was attended by the legal representative of Media 24 Limited who are also the complainants in this matter, representatives from the Commission, including its CEO, and the respondent, Mr Khumalo.

The Commission explained the nature of the meeting to Khumalo and the other attendees and the mandate of the Commission in terms of its constitutional obligations.
Khumalo was guided through the form and nature of mediatory proceedings. He was advised that the meeting was not intended to be an adversarial hearing with the objective of determining or apportioning blame, but was instead aimed at reaching a consensus in line with principles of reconciliation, directed at understanding motives, perception, nation building and interests.

Khumalo was provided an opportunity to, among others, provide a background of the events which led up to the posting of his comments on Facebook, his personal experiences including the public response which it had elicited, to express his feelings of remorse and regret towards those affected.

This was with the aim to permit a process which encouraged constructive, responsible forward growth and understanding; to convey and confirm the relief sought by complainants; and to reach agreement regarding the terms to be included in a settlement agreement, finalised by the respective parties and made public through the Commission.

Khumalo expressed acute feelings of remorse and regret about the hurt caused to those affected, to Media 24 Limited and the general public.

In his words Khumalo said:
“I (Zama Khumalo) hereby tender my summary and unequivocal apology to the general public of South Africa, the Commission, each of the complainants and the individuals who were either directly or indirectly affected by the tragic Westedene bus accident including those families who lost loved ones. I acknowledge the hurt and pain that I have caused as a result of the comments made on Facebook, which were made in a state of anger and disappointment. I therefore truly and genuinely apologise for making such statements and I accept the terms of the agreement as more fully set out herein and also undertake from this date onwards to refrain from, by word and / or by deed, conducting myself in a manner associated with hate and hurtful speech or racism such as that contained in my previous comments.”

I was one of the nurses in the trauma unit of JG Strydom the day that happened. There are no words to describe what I saw and felt – we battled for hours to resus some of the children – some successful but many not. I barely speak to anyone about this day as it is probably the worst moment of my nursing experience.
The Sandy Hook shooting in CT, USA brought back the memories of the many parents and families waiting for news of the children – and the horror of having to go out and tell them their child or in some cases children had not made was terrible.

My brother Anton Bellingan was one of the “lucky” ones that was rescued. He was very ill and in hospital for a long time.I was in St 5(Gr 7), when it happened and I couldn’t travel on a bus when I started High school. I still think back to that day many times as we lost many friends.

Wow, every year around this time I sincerely feel the pain of each of the families who lost a child… My youngest child was but a few days old when this happened. Our preacher lost his daughter Vinette Swanepoel during this tragedy and a few days after her funeral, he baptised my baby. My pain came 13 years later when I lost my David through a motorcar accident!! So every year around his BDay I am also reminded of the pain of these parents – I know what they feel like and my heart goes out to each and everyone of them. God Bless… time heals but never takes away the emptiness and pain!! It does get better but it never leave you …

My mom was at that school when she was young and she too lost a friend. I am turning 16 this year and I travel by bus every school day to get to school, so I know what it could feel like to be one of them just casually catching the bus, not knowing that that was the bus I would die on that day…

The story that my mom told me of it and with the research I have done on this disaster, I was quite touched, so, I am going to write a poem on it. In honour of the kids that died that day. [ Webmaster: Ryan’s poem has been uploaded and can be read here ]

I am searching for any family of Riana Horn that passed away on this very tragic day. Riana is my balted father in laws sister and we are seeking the rest of the family. Please contact me if you have any information.

Hi. I was in Gr 8 when the tragedy happened. I was in the bus in front of the one that went into the water. I lost my childhood friend, Francios du Toit, on that day. The memories will always be a part of my life.

I was 9 when this tragedy happened but still remember it like it was yesterday. I was telling my fifteen year old son about when I decided to Google it. That day was terribly sad and the loss of these beautiful souls reverberated throughout South Africa. Yes there was political unrest, but on this day, much like the 1976 tragedy, most of South Africans joined in their grief. The children’s faces are haunting but I am so glad that have you have created somewhat of a memoriam for them. May their souls rest in peace and may comfort surround their parents all the days of their lives until they meet again.

My cousin Karen Erasmus died on this bus and was wondering if anybody knows any of her family or friends. This accident happened a few months before my birth and my family lost contact and we would really like to try and find them.

God bless the parents who lost their children in this accident our prayers are with you.

I watched the show on kyknet on DSTV last night. I was only 3 years old when this happened and my parents told me later of this disaster. I am now 27 with 2 children myself and can only imagine how these parents must have felt. My condolences goes out to all who lost a loved one!

I now live in Sophiatown, however I remember watching this tragedy from Cape Town when I was in Grade 8. Some of the pupils were my age, I remember how the older folks cried when they watched it on the news.

Every time we drive over the dam, I tell my 2 teenage daughters about the tragic accident which claimed the lives of so many children. May they Rest In Peace.

Today almost 24 years ago and I’m still thinking of that day (Westdene disaster). I used to live in Westdene and 3 of my friends lost there lives. Albertus Owenkamp, Anna Blignaut and Francois du Toit. they where my class mates and friends I have never forgotten them and always think of the time when we played together.

Hi, can anyone help? I am looking for my cousin Alice Rousseau she also lived in Westdene and also use to drive on the bus. Her mom and dad divorced when she was small and we lost contact. She is in her 30s and her mom is Alice de Koning. Please let me know if you know her. Kind regards Mary.

I visit the west park cemetery on a regular basis to visit my wife’s parents and brother in the wall of remembrance and every time I go there I always take my 5 year old daughter and show her all the kids that lost there lives on that day. Oh so sad to see the loss of so many children. Our thoughts are with all the parents of this incident.

I can not believe this happened over 23 years ago, feels like yesterday. Now that I have my own children I can relate to how the parents must have felt that lost their children on that sad day. May God bless them all. I feel very sad all over again, I lost a good friend Connie van der Westhuizen (Petrus) on that day.

As tragic as it was, we need to pay tribute to the men and women involved in saving a lot of lives that day. Petrus Koen was a hero for saving 6 or 7 students before his life was taken. The amount of deaths would have been greater without people like him.

I have just recently moved to Westdene, and was told of the tragedy by my old neighbour who still recalls the tragedy as if it was yesterday.
I send my condolences to the families of these young children who still had so much life to live.
May this tragedy teach us to be grateful everyday that we are alive.
God Bless you all…

Hi
I was 14 years old when this happened. My cousin Alice use to ride on the same bus but for some reason not that day. Her father / my uncle is in the picture where they carry one of the children that drowned. He was Boeta Rousseau. He also lived close to the dam. It was so sad, he went to see if his daughter was there, I can’t remember all the details but he found out she was not but still stayed and helped. God bless the parents and every one that helped that day.

I got to this site by trying to find my cousin I have lost contact with her a very long time ago. Her name is Alice (Rousseau). She use to do to Westdene Laerskool.

I think it is a really wonderful thing you are doing, to often in our country things that happen are conveniently forgotten my 14 year old daughter never even knew about the tragedy until the other day when she came to work with me and we drive over the dam.